Liverpool head to Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday seeking a second straight win after a 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. The Premier League champions face a tough test against Brentford, who have shown mixed form this season. Injuries to key players like Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong could impact Arne Slot's side.
The English Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool is set for Saturday at 8pm GMT at Brentford Community Stadium in London, United Kingdom. Liverpool, the defending champions, ended a four-match losing streak with their midweek Champions League win but suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, marking their fourth straight loss overall. Brentford, who beat United 3-1 on September 27, enter the game with 10 points and a goal difference of -1, posing threats in counter-attacks.
Team News and Injuries
Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces several injury challenges. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker and right back Jeremie Frimpong are out with hamstring injuries sustained midweek. Striker Alexander Isak, signed from Newcastle for 125 million pounds, withdrew at halftime of the Frankfurt game due to a groin issue; he has scored just one goal in eight appearances across all competitions. Slot commented, “Let’s hope it’s not that bad, but he had to go off because he felt his groin.” Updates are awaited on midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. Isak's absence may allow Hugo Ekitike to start as center forward; the Frenchman has five goals in 11 Liverpool appearances but has not started in the team's three recent Premier League defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and United.
Mohamed Salah, last season's Golden Boot winner, is enduring a barren run, with no Premier League goals from open play since the opening weekend and just two goals in eight league matches. Slot dropped him for the Frankfurt game and substituted him late against United, saying, “The last thing I worry about is Mo starting to score goals again.” Florian Wirtz provided his first two assists for Liverpool since his 100-million-pound move from Bayer Leverkusen in the second half against Frankfurt.
For Brentford, Aaron Hickey is sidelined with a knee injury despite returning to training, Antoni Milambo remains out long-term with an ACL problem, and Josh Dasilva misses out due to a knee issue. Players like Yehor Yarmoliuk and Thiago, who has six goals in nine games, could threaten Liverpool.
Head-to-Head
This marks the 24th meeting between the teams, with Liverpool winning 15 times and the last four encounters.
Predicted lineups vary, but Liverpool may line up with Mamardashvili in goal, a defense including Konate and Van Dijk, and attackers like Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, and Ekitike. Slot noted the adjustment challenges after summer spending of about 450 million pounds and Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid.